[casual_games] Gameplay duration

[Joe Schultz]

10-20hrs sound less like casual and more like console. I think for  
casual, it is OK to offer more interesting game play but with a  
shorter game length, rather than less engaging gameplay spread out  
over many hours. Some games still just pad in content to stretch the  
play length, when many players would prefer more interesting play  
over length (especially adult & casual gamers who have less time to  
devote).

Since true game length depends on the game type; the above advice can  
get a little muddy. Examples: poker ends with the round, but you can  
play poker forever. A racing game *can be* replayed forever, but the  
number of maps / tracks are typically finite.

Take a look at Mario Kart 64 for an stellar example of a racing game  
with few tracks, but interesting play used to make the game more  
enjoyable without artificially bloating the content. I think they  
struck a good balance: using engine classes and other (enjoyable)  
play mechanics, to elongate the play without simply tacking on  
numerous maps / tracks.


Joe Schultz
Game Director
ByDesign Games
joe.schultz at bydesigngames.com
http://www.bydesigngames.com


On 20 Aug 2007, at 15:57, Eric Trudel wrote:


> Hello guys,

>

> We are doing a racing game with a career and quick race modes. I  

> was told by others in the industry that in the casual game market,  

> portals and customer where looking for a certain quantity of  

> gameplay hours out of their games; 10 to 20 hours where what I was  

> told to aim for.

>

>

>

> I was wondering on how to calculate that gameplay duration. For  

> example, is it only the career mode that counts? Does the quick  

> race mode count even though only the maps and vehicles unlocked  

> during the career are present? Do we allow time for level retry  

> because of unmet goals?

>

>

>

> Any knowledge links and ideas are welcome on the subject.

>

>

>

> Thanks.

>

>

>

> Eric Trudel

>

>

>

>

>

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